Here it is...FALL! And it happened like a light switch. One day it was Summer, sunny and warm...then bam, it was Fall, cool, rainy and fallish! The hummers have decided to migrate, well, almost all of them. I still have one hold out, he is probably excited to have the entire feeder to himself.  But, at least I have a nice sewing studio to work in. Air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. I have not turned on the heat, yet. But, you can bet that as soon as I do, the Velcro puppies will be find a cozy spot in front of the heater to spend their unproductive moments. Wait, I don't think that they have productive moments. They eat, sleep and bark...nope, nothing productive there!
So, I started a new project.

It is still a work in progress, but it is coming along nicely. I have to take a more recent picture. But, I have to take a break, because I have some piecing to do...hope that will be done by the end of the weekend. But then, while I am piecing, I need to make a baby quilt. And I need more practice on George...not quite like a job...but plenty busy. Well, time to hit the spools!

So, here it is Sunday...starting a new project. Well new, may not be correct. I have had this partially worked project pinned to my design wall...well, since the wall went up. Let's not stop to think how long that has been, scary!
But first, I did get the bird project done. And it is residing in it's place of honor in a new home. The exact home that I did not plan for it to be in.

I was really liking this project. Each project that I finish, I learn more about applique. You are not seeing this at an angle, the tree side is 4" longer. I just could not even off the bottom. It was an enhancement that was a surprise when it happened.

The other exciting thing that I am learning....is my new sewing machine. I have had a long arm machine for the past eight years. While, I love working with the APQS Millie..the back will no longer allow me to reach for the time it takes to start and finish a large quilt. But, large projects is not something that I am into anymore. So, I upgraded..for me, I purchased an APQS George. George is a sit down machine. Takes the pressure of standing for long periods of time. So now, it is back to practice, practice, practice. I learn new things each time I use it. So far, I am loving it!

So, the next project is getting started. Don't know how long this will take, because I may have to take a short break in the middle to do some work for my daughter. But, until that time, I will work diligently on it!

 

Wow, seems like the first few cucumbers just came off the vine...and now, we are looking at the end of the crop. Where did June, July and August disappear to. I think mine disappeared in the sewing room. Been a lot of changes in there.
Where to start....
I finished my sunflower project and it came out as expected.

 

I get wrapped up in my designs...I sometimes hate to part with them.

Well, I went from something small to something larger. And in hindsight, I wonder why!

This project was larger than I like to work with. But, it leads to another story. I have an APQS Millineum..I have had Millie since 2005. But, because of some medical issues, I decided to get an APQS George. It is a sit down machine. And while it will require a learn curve, I am sure..It is not something that is beyond my abilities. It really is an entire new avenue into my sewing adventures.

 

This is one of the last larger projects that I will do on the Millie. I have actually set it up in the living room and the George is in the sewing room...in the place of honor! It is not that I will not be using anymore, but at some point the Millie will probably be going to my daughters home in Georgia...a long trip! But, onto other matters. this is quilted but still needs the binding. I have been lagging on that because I have already started my next project.

I have an issue with this project. Because my best friend is a bird lover....and while I am working on a project with a bird theme, I did not want her to feel like she was obligated to purchase or that it was made specifically for her. It was just next!!

 

This is the project that I am now working on. This picture shows the layout and now I am ready to fuse. 

This is the final layout and it is totally fused and part of the initial top stitching is done. This is only the first layer. More to follow.